We would like to thank everyone who entered for making our task of judging the poems entered into the competition a most enjoyable process, and to congratulate the winners and runners up. The judging process extended over a number of weeks, and we remarked that while the subject and style of the entries was as diverse as ever, the poems were of a consistent high quality, which made it difficult to decide on the eventual winners.

The judging, as every year, was anonymous. A collaborative process ensured each poem entered was read by the judging panel before the long list was drawn up. The long-listed poems were then re-read and voted for individually; the final placings being decided by aggregating the individual marks.

Sadly, owing to financial considerations, this is the last year that the competition will run in its current form. Over the next few months we will be considering alternative ways of remembering our friend, and we will announce future plans on the website.

Prizewinners and long listed poets have been invited to a poetry reading and prize giving provisionally booked for October. The anthology containing the winning and runner up poems will also be available in October.

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DEADLINE

19th May 2012

Judges’ Comments

'Now it's a big, serious, well-known competition. We hope it will go from strength to strength and find an annual place among the competitions that already draw such numbers - Bridport, Poetry Society and the Petra Kenney. Here's to the future.'
UA Fanthorpe & RV Bailey, 2006

'Competitions like these are vital for the future of poetry because they encourage everyone to have a go.'
Ian McMillan, 2007

'I can't think of a better way to remember a poet than to hold a celebration. Virginia Warbey's name, and curiosity to know about her and her writing, grows with every year that this competition flourishes.'
Gillian Clarke, 2008

'Poetry can often seem like rather a complicated way of being ignored, and that's why competitions like the Virginia Warbey are so important - in the way that they publicly value, reward and encourage the writing of poems. I'm delighted to have been associated with it.'
CJ Allen, 2009

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